What is Turner's Syndrome?
A syndrome is a set of physical features that often occur together in different individuals and which are believed to stem from the same cause.
TURNERS SYNDROME was first documented in 1938 by Dr. Henry Turner. It is due to a chromosomal abnormality that is found in one in every 2,500 newborn females.
In Turners Syndrome, one of the two X chromosomes found in the cells of most women is either missing or structurally abnormal. This means that women with Turners Syndrome lack some of the genes found on the second chromosome.
The most consistent features of Turners Syndrome are short stature (average adult height 143cm or 4 8") and infertility. The infertility occurs because the ovaries do not develop normally and any eggs present at birth are rapidly lost. Hormone replacement therapy is available to induce development of breasts and other secondary sexual characteristics as well as menstruation. Growth hormone can be given to maximise height in girls with T.S.
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